$ I Failed $

Back before Christmas, 

I shared this post and told how I was planning to basically 

go on a spending fast.

I made it through January and was doing well in February

until that last week.

I'd bought no magazines nor coffees.

I have taken my lunch to work everyday this year.

No new clothes or diamond jewelry - just seeing if you were paying attention.

So what was my demise?

It was a bowl.

Yep, a bowl.

Sounds too simple doesn't it?

Not just any bowl, but a terra-cotta bowl.

I have a bit of an affinity for terra-cotta cookware.

It can go in the fridge/freezer or the oven safely.

When using the roasters, food stays moist and cooks evenly.

If you must know, my actual thought when I saw it was~

"Yes! I can set it in the oven to heat, and it can keep mashed potatoes warm."

Evidently with me, it's all about the spuds.

I did struggle even in the shop where I found it, knowing that purchasing it would mean breaking my promise to myself.

This being the first terra-cotta bowl I've ever see in a thrift shop, I got it.

So how much did it cost?

It was $3.00.

Now, you might be laughing at me and thinking,
"All of this over a three dollar bowl?  You're nuts!"

You can think I'm nuts if you like, 

but I will explain what this $3 bowl really cost in my mind.

You see, Mr. LB and I have some financial "goals," (as well as other goals)

 a magic number to hit at which point we feel we can retire and be okay.

By retire, I don't mean quit working, but quit the 8-5 with an hour drive on each end of the day, five days per week.

We are working towards that goal.

There is a sorta financial cliche that says,

"$10 in an interest baring account in 10 years will be $1000."

Yes, I am completely aware of all the variables and conditions that can make this statement false.

But it is a really easy thing to stick in my little ol' brain as a guideline.

With that, I felt like I was robbing my future self of $300 

by purchasing this bowl.

Does it make a little more sense why I was struggling now?

I am cognizant that this is how all those little things add up over time

and impact us in the long run.

I've made peace with my decision though.

How on earth did I do that after what I just said?

Well, just after I got the bowl washed, hadn't even used it yet,

I set it on the table rather than in the cupboard with the other bowls.

I am careful with it.

I look at it and appreciate it as a $300 bowl.

In my eyes it's beautiful (will be more so full of spuds!)

Maybe that sounds like a lame excuse to some folks,

but there are so many people who struggle with debt and trying to save.

Perhaps if they thought of it in the 10 year way, they too would struggle with small purchases, be it a cup of coffee and a muffin or a news-stand magazine.

Do they really appreciate those things?

No denying, I am still a little disappointed in myself.

I'm on another decluttering run (more on that later,) and this was something

coming into the house rather than going out.

So now I'm back to no spending.

I'll see if I can make it through March and go from there.

In the mean time, we'll continue to inch towards our goal and continue trying

because that's how we learn ~ right? ~ by practicing.

Does anybody get it right 100% of the time?

I suppose it's a mark of my humanism, humaninatiy, humanness???

I'll just try to behave.

I just wanted you to know since reading declarations online such as~

"I'M SPENDING NO MONEY!"

then you hear nothing as far as follow up, can make you wonder.

I suppose I can look at it like I failed, but guess what.

We have saved money over the past couple months.

If we look at it in perspective, even with that one failure,

the success is great and far out-weighs the failure portion.

So I'm choosing to focus on that.

If you are trying to save, maybe focus on what you've done right 

rather than what you've failed to do.

By honing in on what we are doing right,

we can do it more and more often,

in return become more and more successful.

So far, one week into March, we're doing it. 
I guess you could say practice is going well. 

                                                         

Choke Cherries and Money Savers

Yes, we are still alive.

We have just had a lot of life come at us at once.

I'll fill you in on that later,

but wanted to show you.

 Here are my choke cherries all picked, cleaned, 

and ready to juice for some jelly.
(Working on Christmas gifts now.)

What do you think of that great metal bowl?

It is actually one of two.

I call them my fruit bowls.

They are just deep and wide enough to hold a lot of fruit

without crushing it.

They were purchased for $1 each ~

on clearance in the automotive section of the store.

They are really for changing oil.

Also, if you need buckets,

check out the automotive department.

The same buckets that you will find in the cleaning section

by the mops and brooms is often

a fraction of the cost if you get them in the auto section

of the same store.

The only difference being maybe the color.

Other items you might find cheaper over there are

scrub brushes, buffing/polishing cloths, and spritzer bottles.

If there is something you need along those lines,

you might just check out the automotive dept.

before buying it from the 'regular' dept.

and save yourself a couple dollars.

Tonight, we'll be cleaning the elderberries

into the other bowl:)

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

*~*~*Saving Money*~*~*

I have read every book,

looked at every penny pinching site,

and heard every frugal tip,

Well, almost...

I kinda feed off of it all.

It keeps me motivated.

So some of the things that work for us.

(My childhood piggy bank)

1st:

Let's talk garbage!

We don't have garbage service - roughly $32 per month.

I have a theory that the more garbage you produce,

the more money you are spending.

You can recycle tin cans (not actually tin anymore,)

most plastics (except the cellophane kind that covers veggies,)

paper of nearly every sort, and glass.

When I have these items, I simply rinse them out

and place them in the bag of like items.

Cost=$0

I did make a run to the transfer station before Christmas

which cost $8.  It was on the way to work so no extra gas was used.

At this point, I still don't have 1 full garbage can.

2nd

If you have credit card debt and are paying interest,

call the number on the card.

Don't even talk to the person that answers the phone.

Ask to speak with a manager or supervisor - 

all of this kindly and respectfully of course.

Tell the supervisor that you receive offers of 0% interest,

and ask what they can offer because you don't want to have to

switch cards.

You might even qualify for a 1 year hardship rate of 0% interest.

This just means that much more towards the principle.

Obviously, pay as much towards it as possible.

3rd

Spend about half an hour on the phone and save a lot.

Phone company: no caller ID, & pay for long distance calls.

This has saved us between $30-$40 per month.

Insurance: talk to your agent.  combine home & auto

and find the best rate that suits your needs.

Electric: Shut off lights, unplug just about anything not in use, 

hang clothes to dry, and wash dishes by hand.

(Dryer and dishwasher use the most electric)

Nix the TV - it's a habit not a necessity.

Hygiene: I make our laundry detergent for pennies vs.

store bought $10 per bottle or box. 
Also, use cloth napkins, hand towels etc. 

4th

Diet - what do you eat?

I think it's funny (or peculiar) that some rave about how much 

they save on items that are unhealthy.

I have a better idea.  Don't buy them at all.

Examples are chips, soda-pop, crackers, processed cheeses,

dressings, toppings of all sorts, boxed sweets or just add water

or hamburger, jello, canned soup...the list goes on.
We try to keep the simple sugars (grains) to a minimum.
Often these are big sales items and 'fillers.'
Just an FYI: broccoli has 8 times as much fiber as whole grain
plus much needed nutrients.

When you shop, shop the skirt of the store.

That is where the dairy, meats, and produce are.

Be leery of the isles - they'll getchya.

About the only thing I get from the isles are

peanut butter, vinegar, and spices.

Also, find a place where you can buy in bulk.

There are a variety of ways to safely and effectively store it.

There are two upsides to this:

you will save money & be healthier.

And oh yes, eat at home (and make coffee at home too.)

5th
You'll love this one.
Depending upon where you live...
aaaand if you have a friend in law enforcement...
at times they catch poachers with an animal 
already dressed out.
This might vary by state, 
but they used to donate them to the senior center
which they can no longer do because of FDA regulations.
At times, they have nobody to donate the meat to.
If you have this resource and like game,
it's just a matter of cutting and wrapping.
Free meat.

6th

Figure out where your money is going.

If you know where it's going, 

you can focus on decreasing the amount spent in the 

most significant areas.

This will be different for every household

as we each have our own issues, habits, chocolate addictions, etc.

Like anything, it's easier if you start small

say by making the call to the phone company.

Once you realize the savings,

you will want to save more & you will.

My personal challenge is usually the electric bill:

Last month it was down to $62.

About 5 years ago, I had it down to $55, 

but rates keep increasing.

I still want to try to beat that $55.

If you have a particular area that I didn't address,
let me know.
This is by no means a complete list.
(We save about 50cents/gal on propane
by being on the 'keep-full' list.)
If I know of a way you can save,
I will certainly share.

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches